Class of 2014

Favorite things about my work:
I work with many students who obviously do not get outside much, and I love opening their eyes to how awesome nature is.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
My time at MOSS taught me many lessons that I have brought with me to my current job. I learned a lot about working with a team, despite any differences we may have. I was introduced to place-based education, which is very popular in the environmental education field right now. And I am able to create well-written lesson plans after doing my Master’s Project. All these things and more gave me the knowledge, experience, and confidence I needed to obtain my current job. Even if you’re not sure what direction you want to go career-wise, I highly recommend applying to MOSS. Because at MOSS you will learn so many new things, have a one-of-a-kind experience, and get to know an amazing group of graduate students and professors, all the while living in one of the most beautiful places in the U.S.

Class of 2006

Favorite thing you like about your work:
As a program officer for a philanthropic organization, I appreciate the opportunity to build relationships with schools, agencies and non-profits committed to the success of students. It's also a unique opportunity to not only support individual programs but to reflect and support the collective success of the fields of environmental, geography and outdoor education in Oregon.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
While at MOSS, I gained the foundation and vocabulary for understanding the pedagogy of science education in the outdoors. I learned to better understand my own role and relationships that supported or inhibited successful collaborations with peers. Finally, I received the affirmation that I had something to contribute to the field of education despite not wanting to enter the traditional classroom; I could take my two passions of the environment and youth to make a career of it.

Class of 2013

Favorite thing you like about your work:
We work to advance education initiatives and address needs in the treasure valley by working within a Collective Impact framework. We gather school districts, universities, businesses, and foundations to the table to collect and analyze data that will inform decisions and policies surrounding education in Idaho. I love gaining new skills in both grant writing and development that are transferable across so many fields! Also I love my coworkers :)

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
Having an MS in Natural Resources through MOSS really gave me an edge when applying for jobs, but it also gave me the experience I needed to DO my job. When job hunting, I was able to confidently articulate the EE and science research skills I had gained in a way that connected directly to the position I applied for. MOSS was the perfect combination of the experience I needed and the degree to back it up on paper. I wouldn’t have my job now without MOSS, and I constantly find my-self reflecting on course work and things I learned while at MOSS that are so relevant and applicable to the current decisions I make as Education Coordinator. I also would never have met my husband, so there’s that too.

Class of 2008

Favorite thing you like about your work:
Inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders, and exploring the world through science.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
MOSS was my first introduction to the intermountain west. I learned skills and confidence to succeed as an educator while connecting deeply to a beautiful part of the world.

Class of 2012

Favorite thing you like about your work:
My favorite thing about my job is that I have a position where I get to use my whole mind and many facets of my skills to help conserve wildlife. For example, I might be training educators in teaching a new NGSS program one hour and then feeding a peregrine falcon the next! I love mentoring both our adult and youth education volunteers because they are a powerful team that helps our organization inspire others to be responsible for the world we share. Interacting with the resident animal ambassadors gives me a chance to always be a scientist thinking critically about behavioral ecology so that I can engage our museum guests in science activities that help them learn environmentally responsible actions they can take to help each species.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
The biggest impact that MOSS had on my life was providing the mentorship, experiences, and friendship that I needed to have the confidence to pursue a career that would allow be to fully engage my dual identity as both a wildlife biologist and a science educator. I came to MOSS looking for direction and found the strong support of professors who challenged us, held us accountable, and helped us learn with fun along the way. Through our explorations in class where we got to engage with local scientists and get into the field to conduct inquiries with our students, I learned that the idea of education and wildlife biology being “soft science” was totally a myth. MOSS pushed my comfort zone with many first-time experiences like backpacking and living in the snow, yet the friendships forged with fellow grads made these challenges into adventures with stories I will always remember. I recommend MOSS because it is a community of learning that you cannot find anywhere else. The hands-on investigations, amazing scenery, and camaraderie can help you find the big picture questions and goals to be an environmental leader and feel empowered to make a difference.

Class of 2010

Favorite thing you like about your work:
There is a lot to like about working for EPI, but I think the most rewarding aspect is putting together a program that creates real, measurable changes for middle and high school students from across the country. It also helps that we get to work in Yellowstone 9 months out of the year.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
MOSS was my springboard into the experiential/outdoor education world. It gave me experience fresh out of college that I really couldn't have gotten anywhere else. It prepared me to create and deliver unique and challenging outdoor education experiences for students. MOSS was also a perfect place to start my love affair with the inland northwest. Absolutely yes I would recommend to anyone who has interest in working in this field and who enjoys living in an outdoor mecca. 

Class of 2010

I manage a citizen science program studying the distribution and diversity of native bees in Minnesota.  This includes recruiting, training, and supporting around 150 volunteers each field season as well as all communications and program logistics.

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I love working with volunteers.  Although native bees are a new topic to many of them, they all bring their own skills and enthusiasm to the project so it is fun to help them learn more about how to support pollinators.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
MOSS was an incredible environment to begin honing my skills as an educator because I got to work with small groups of motivated students and I had the support of experienced professionals.  Throughout the year, I had opportunities to work in many different situations; on site, in schools, at the Boise Zoo.  This strengthened my ability to adapt my teaching to different scenarios as well as showcased the incredible natural beauty in Idaho.

Class of 2015

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I really enjoy the big-picture aspects of my work; I get to create new programs, develop curricula, and build risk management plans. I have a diverse set of responsibilities, which means that I can challenge myself all the time at work.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
Looking back, the most valuable aspect of my time at MOSS was developing my education philosophy and my approach to leadership. While I built a lot of hard skills at MOSS, I've found that having a strong voice about what high-quality environmental education looks like has opened a lot of doors for me, and has helped me narrow in on what kind of work I want to be doing.

Class of 2016

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I love being able to share the science me and my colleagues do with the public in different and engaging ways through outreach programs. I'm a scientist by training, and the MOSS program gave me the tools to share that science with different audiences in compelling ways.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
My MOSS experience is a bit out of the box: I decided to complete the program while working on my PhD. I am a scientist by training and want to work at the intersection between science, education, and communication. MOSS not only allowed me to develop professional skills to help me attain that goal, but also served as a beautiful example of the type of program that emerges from scientists, educators, and communicators working together with a single mission. More than anything, MOSS taught me there is a place for someone like me. If this sounds like you, what are you waiting for? Go enroll!

Class of 2011

Favorite thing you like about your work:
Getting to know my students and seeing them progress over multiple years and express their personal science interests in projects and a STEM Fair.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
At MOSS I learned how to reach out to different students and communities (through outreach) and to adjust curriculum to meet what my group needed each week.  In teaching, differentiation is a huge deal and MOSS helped with that by giving a strong foundation and then lots of experience practicing the same curriculum with many types of student groups.  I loved the sense of place in McCall and then throughout Idaho - it's a hidden gem of hiking and wonderful small towns. I also made awesome friends and feel like I am part of a strong alumni community - our influence is growing and I see MOSS popping up more and more in the outdoor education world.

Class of 2015

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I absolutely love being able to connect students from the city with nature. A lot of times, these kids have never been outside the playground at school; they don’t know what it's like to dig in the dirt, to climb a tree, or even see squirrels. They come to camp and are in shock at how amazing nature can be! Many students leave with a new outlook on life and my hope is they take their new found love and knowledge of nature back to their schools and communities.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
MOSS was the most inspiring and most rewarding educational experience I could have done. McCall is a magical place that allowed me to really get in touch with the outdoors and why I want to teach environmental education. I made lasting friendships that I will always hold close and was able to find my dream job based on the experiences I had at MOSS and beyond. It opened my eyes to how different a masters program can be outside of learning and sitting in a classroom. . I will keep coming back to McCall and visiting MOSS for as long as I can.

Class of 2009

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I really love that I have the opportunity to connect people to nature right in their backyards. We're helping students engage with science in a way they haven't traditionally and bringing opportunities to Montana students and teachers that they wouldn't have otherwise. Sharing my love for this landscape is also pretty special.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else? 
MOSS was a turning point for me. I didn't even realize environmental education was a career field until I began my adventure in McCall. Through extensive trainings on EE practices and borrowing strategies that I observed from my cohorts in the field, MOSS laid my foundation for outdoor ed. My underlying educational philosophy was formed during my time at MOSS and though it's seen many iterations I carry that foundation with me. I also carry with me some of the greatest friendships, which I formed at MOSS. I would recommend the program to anyone that wants to receive comprehensive, professional development in the EE field at a school that "practices what they preach."

Class of 2014

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I enjoy being a member of the DEQ family because I have the opportunity to work alongside engineers, biologists, and other scientists as we work collectively offering our unique expertise to conserving and improving our environment while fostering economic growth through focused research.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
I knew nothing about Idaho before attending MOSS but I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made. At MOSS I learned exactly what it meant to work as a team. Our team instantly became more like family. Because I am an hands-on learner, MOSS was the perfect program for me. Who else can say they canoed from one class to the next or went on a week camping trip (by helicopters might I add) with their professors to learn more about the beautiful environment during their graduate program? My experience at MOSS was life changing and completely took me out of my comfort zone. Life is meant for taking chances; if you’ve never been uncomfortable, you’ve never lived.

Class of 2005

Favorite thing you like about your work:
Protecting public lands and fish and wildlife habitat in the Clearwater Basin of north-central Idaho.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
My experience at MOSS ('05 -'06) was EXCELLENT. Steve Hollenhorst, Greg Fizzell, Karla Bradley, Gary Thompson and Eric Carpenter provided tremendous direction and care, the lakeside campus was a beautiful setting and the children - it's all about the children! - made be a better person by challenging my ability to create curriculum and connect with them in ways I've never done before.

Class of 2007

Favorite thing you like about your work:
Organizing and coordinating community tree plantings. I really enjoy living in a city but being able to work on urban greening projects. To me, urban forestry is a future thinking profession that helps to improve the everyday quality of life for many urban residents. 

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
MOSS was a great experience for me after undergrad. I was able to explore the world of environmental education, gain more confidence teaching, and work with and be inspired by amazing coworkers and staff. I often think back on my time at MOSS as a very formative experience and education is still very much a part of my professional career. MOSS is set in a beautiful location that lends itself to exploration and appreciation for the natural world. 

Class of 2010

Favorite thing you like about your work:
Asking questions related to when, where, why, and how much carbon is exchanged between the biosphere and atmosphere.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
MOSS reminded me why I wanted to pursue a scientific career – not the mind-numbing memorization aspects, but the idea that science is driven by curiosity and propelled by a dive into the unknown.

Class of 2021

Current job:
I do research using fancy instruments that measure how evergreen forest canopies interact with solar radiation which drives complex processes like photosynthesis, ultimately impacting regional and global carbon cycling and plants’ responses to climate change.

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I really enjoy the witnessing broad range of scientific disciplines that my colleagues bring to their work at JPL fusing physics and engineering to use precise instruments, interpreting measurements based on knowledge of ecology and plant physiology, and presenting complex information on our Earth system in intelligible and meaningful ways. It is cool to be surrounded by so much cutting-edge activity research on a weekly basis.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
I absolutely loved the community of educators, staff, and students that are unique to MOSS. My experience was different than most students with a heavy focus on my dissertation research, but I truly enjoyed the curiosity everyone in the community expressed about my and everyone’s studies. It is truly a wonderfully supportive and positive community! Also, it really helped keep me grounded to be physically working under a lush forest canopy when this is exactly what I spent much of my days studying. Finally, I loved the challenge of synthesizing my research and communicating it to different audiences – fellow graduate students, local high school students, and MOSS K-12 participants.

I feel I really developed an appreciation for and honed my skills at communicating scientific research while at MOSS. Honestly, this is such a fundamental thing all scientists should be persistently working on to ensure we have an informed society that is invested in learning how and why environmental science affects us all.

Class of 2015

Favorite thing you like about your work:
My favorite thing that I like about my work is the aspect that it allows generations after me to enjoy these remarkable places and inspire them.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
Throughout my time at MOSS, any ecological class or study that we conducted help build a great foundation of understanding of our natural world. I am able to apply a lot of what I learned to everyday tasks at work. Being on a fire crew, comradery and community is a large part of your life. Learning how to support and give constructive feedback while your part of a cohort at MOSS gave me a lot of practice in that. I was not only able to strengthen my role as a community member through MOSS but able to make some life-long friends.

Class of 2013

Favorite thing you like about your work:
Working with kids.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
Looking back at my time at MOSS, I learned that every student has a potential--even the ones who claim to "hate school".  If a student can walk away from the day having learned one little thing, then it's a win!  

Class of 2012

Favorite thing you like about your work:
The opportunity to positively impact youths lives, and introduce them to the outdoors through  authentic and memorable experiences.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
My experience at the McCall Outdoor Science School was a graduate experience I didn't think was possible - it was hands on, had a small learning cohort, strong leadership, and every day was different and fun.  Through completing the program at MOSS I walked away with more than my M.Ed. (which has already served me well in my career); I gained skills that are transferable to high rope challenge courses, the classroom and even the board room. If you are considering applying to MOSS - DO IT. If you are lucky enough to have been accepted into the program - ACCEPT THE POSITION! I recommend seizing the opportunity to earn a post graduate degree while also enjoying the incredibly rich mountain culture of McCall, and of course amazing professors and colleagues.

Class of 2004

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I love that I get to make a career out of my inherent passion for environmental protection and stewardship. There is no greater feeling! Plus, living in Colorado is truly amazing.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
My time at MOSS was absolutely instrumental in getting me to where I am today. I forged friendships that are still ongoing nearly 15 years later and also made professional connections that helped to open many doors. I became proficient in delivering high quality environmental education lessons to youth, and also learned how to apply academic theory to real-world situations. My time at MOSS also opened my eyes to the nonprofit sector and the importance the sector plays in changing lives and making an impact. I would wholeheartedly recommend MOSS to anyone wanting to take their training and career in environmental leadership, environmental education, or other related field to the next level. It was a life-changing experience for me!

Class of 2010

Favorite thing you like about your work:
Being part of a countywide system of naturalist serving the state as a whole by sending a message that it is our right to have land to recreate, cherish, love, and respect for future generations.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
My MOSS experience taught me the skill set needed to be an effective teacher and to tap the inquisitive young minds of children by guiding thought processes through inquiry based learning.

Inquiry based learning is knowing what questions to ask to drive a group to ask more questions and it becomes a group effort in learning rather that one sided learning experience.

MOSS was the catalyst that empowered me to seek my Master’s Degree in Natural Resources and forge further in my pursuit for employment in environmental education.

I would recommend this program to anyone that is wanting to become a teacher or informal educator in natural resources because I have used many skills that are being taught at MOSS. in my overall teaching. Such skills include lesson planning, place based education, inquiry based education, public speaking, and classroom management. It is a well-rounded experience and I cannot say that I would be this prepared for my job now if it weren’t for MOSS.

Class of 2014

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I love being able to apply my technical skills to my USGS job and get to do field work for my dissertation.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
MOSS taught me communication skills that I would otherwise not have learned in my "hard-science" background. It was because of my teaching background that I was offered the USGS job so I can teach and communicate computer based skills. I loved MOSS and all of the wonderful friends I made and I would highly recommend to anyone!

Class of 2017

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I am so grateful that North Star (regulars of the MOSS residential program) supports my vision of a project and inquiry-based classroom. I love presenting the students with complex concepts like radiometric dating and geographic inquiry and seeing them exceed my expectations.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
My experience at MOSS made understanding and teaching science so much more accessible to me as a veteran language arts and humanities teacher. Before MOSS, I wanted to integrate science into my curriculum but didn't even know where to start. MOSS's holistic, practicum-based approach met me where I was and nurtured a supportive community where we all learned from each others' successes and failures. I never saw graduate school as a possibility for me, but MOSS's approach made the experience accessible, affordable, and meaningful.

Class of 2014

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I enjoy getting to spend 5 months of the year working outdoors conducting meaningful on-the-ground conservation work and environmental education for high school students in the High Rockies of central Colorado.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
While at MOSS, I rediscovered my passion for teaching students of all ages about topics ranging from conservation to environmental education to having fun in the Great Outdoors. Best of all, I got to learn from and get to know an amazing group of people from all over the country.  These cohort-mates have become some of my best friends and closest confidants.  I really don't know what I would have done without them!  I would recommend MOSS to anybody who loves to work outdoor with children and wants to work collaboratively with an amazing group of individuals.  MOSS is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is well-worth the investment!

Class of 2004

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I’m always learning and get to strengthen and help improve the resiliency of our local food system.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
Hands-on experience teaching science to youth and working with others in an experiential education environment. I would recommend it because you learn applied skills that cannot be replicated with books or in the classroom.

Class of 2013

Favorite thing you like about your work:
Working with great people to protect public lands and beautiful, wild places.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
My time at MOSS taught me how to interact with people in a genuine way when discussing environmental issues and how to connect people to public lands and the issues they face. 

Class of 2013

Favorite thing you like about your work:
I most enjoy having the opportunity to connect citizens with conservation values in an urban setting.  The Land Trust of the Treasure Valley excels in connecting people to place through land conservation, recreation and habitat restoration, and I get to be the boots on the ground making this happen.  Boise has a long tradition of open space conservation, and I'm constantly humbled by the fact that I have an opportunity to continue this tradition through outreach, service learning and on-the-ground stewardship.  There is a tremendous amount of satisfaction in helping others care for their community; I get to witness the joy that refugees and students experience when they plant native shrubs they grew themselves, or seeing a mountain-biker use a new trail they helped build, or by inspiring collegiate students to pursue a career focused on solving place-based environmental issues.

Based on your own experience, what did you get out of your time at MOSS and why would you recommend it to someone else?
MOSS provided me the means to hone my capabilities to communicate complex-ecological issues and concepts to a wide-variety of people.  I don't work with students as much as I did at MOSS, but I was not surprised when my peer at the Land Trust said its best to communicate the issues we are dealing with as if you were speaking to a middle-school aged student - keep it simple and make sure anyone can understand the concept.  The communication skills I honed while teaching at MOSS have been indispensable in my efforts to connect the importance of caring for your environment and community to people across the social, cultural and political spectrum.